Saga Of The Timeless (A Mahabharata Story)

37. Ties That Bind and Break

Karna stood before me, his face an unsettling mask of indifference, devoid of any visible emotion. His eyes, however, told a different story. They were locked onto mine, unwavering, burning with something just beneath the surface—something he was too proud, or too hurt, to let out. It was like his entire being pulsed with a shock so deep, he couldn't even react to it fully.

Then, slowly, he began to shake his head, left to right, almost like he was arguing with his own thoughts. As if his mind was trying to reason with something it couldn't—something it refused to believe. His silence, more than anything, crushed me.

My heart sank. Had he heard us? I could see it now, how broken he looked despite the cold exterior. A man shattered in ways only I could see.

"Karna," I called out, panic rising in my chest. I rushed toward him, desperate to reach him before he completely shut me out, but just as I got close, he turned on his heel and walked away, quick and sharp like he couldn't bear another moment of my presence. He didn't even spare me a glance. He just walked away.

He looked... angry.

"Karna, please stop! Listen to me!" My voice cracked with desperation as I followed him. I didn't care that we were drawing attention, that people were glancing our way with curious eyes. None of it mattered. All I could focus on was the distance growing between us, both physically and emotionally.

"Karna, will you just listen?" I shouted, louder this time, my voice echoing down the hallway.

He kept moving, his shoulders tense with restrained fury. He entered his room and slammed the door so hard I flinched. Normally, I would have given him the space he clearly needed. But the way people were already watching us, whispering, I couldn't afford to let this misunderstanding take root.

"Karna, please!" I shouted through the closed door, my fist pounding on the wood. My throat was tight, the words coming out strained. "If you'd just talk to me, I could explain! Please don't jump to conclusions!"

Still, nothing. Not a single word from him. Only silence.

"I'm not leaving until you talk," I declared, but even my voice wavered. The moments stretched on, each second feeling like an eternity. My heart pounded in my chest, each beat echoing louder in the suffocating silence.

I leaned my forehead against the door, trying to steady my breathing, my voice softer this time. "I need to go see Subhadra... She's leaving for Dwarka soon. But before you assume the worst, let me explain."

I took a shaky breath, hoping—praying—that he was on the other side listening, even if he wouldn't respond. I had to tell him the truth.

"I was with Bua Kunti," I began, my words slow, deliberate. "She told me she's happy about our marriage, but... her sons, they questioned why I was marrying you. It hurt me, and I got upset, so I left the room in tears. Rajkumar Arjun followed me... He asked if I was alright. I told him not to speak ill of you, and in my anger, I defended you. He didn't like it and left in frustration. That's all, Karna. I swear."

My voice broke as I sighed heavily, my forehead still pressed against the cold wood. "Please... don't misunderstand. Whatever you saw it I don't think you took it well. Karna Please Listen to me."

I waited, hoping—no, begging—for him to respond, to say something. But the silence was unbearable. I could feel his presence behind the door, feel the weight of everything left unsaid hanging between us, thick and suffocating.

"Karna, please..." I whispered, my voice barely audible now. "Please talk to me..."

But there was nothing. Not a sound. Not even a stir from inside.